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Farragut Sets Sail From Guantanamo Bay

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080808-07
Release Date: 8/8/2008 2:41:00 PM

By Chief Warrant Officer Luigi G. Federici, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 40 Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (NNS) -- The crew of USS Farragut (DDG 99) set sail from Guantanamo Bay, Aug. 4, in support of Partnership of the Americas (POA) 2008, an annual operation sponsored by U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) in the SOUTHCOM area of focus.

This deployment includes multinational exercises, theater security cooperation (TSC) events, and counter narcoterrorism (CNT) missions in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

"Our maintenance availability in Mayport, Florida, followed by the training we completed in Guantanamo Bay, was time well spent in preparing the ship for this second phase of our deployment," said Farragut Commanding Officer Cmdr. Scott Dugan.

"Our mission in this phase of the deployment is to build relationships with our partners in South America and the Caribbean for greater maritime security in the region by our involvement in various multinational exercises."

During the ship's entry into Guantanamo Bay, as the ship passed the windward side of the island, it slowed to three knots as Cmdr. Deidre McClay, Farragut's commanding officer at the time she was commissioned, was promoted to the rank of captain. As her promotion ceremony was held in Guantanamo Bay, she was excited that Farragut was able to be the backdrop of her promotion ceremony.

"It is a thrill to be back onboard Farragut," said McClay. "It is clear from the reports that I have received that the crew and the ship lives up to its motto of 'Prepared for Battle.' I am sure the ship's maiden deployment will continue to be marked with acts of pride and distinction."

Farragut will visit Cartegena, Colombia next and participate in PANAMAX 2008, a multinational joint exercise dedicated to the defense of the Panama Canal. After PANAMAX, Farragut will participate in several TSC and CNT missions throughout the Caribbean.

POA 2008 is a SOUTHCOM sponsored program, implemented by U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, designed to foster greater interoperability and cooperation between partner nations throughout Central and South America and the Caribbean.

Farragut Sailors have been participating in POA 2008 since April, visiting and working with countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Peru, and Ecuador. During the second half of their deployment, Farragut will particpate with USS Kauffman (FFG 59) and USS Tarawa (LHA 1), in conjunction with Destroyer Squadron 40 and the LAMPS SH-60B Helicopter Squadron 42 Detachment 7. TSC missions, which encompass an important part of the POA 2008 deployment, include subject-matter expert exchanges with foreign navies, community relations projects and receptions for foreign dignitaries.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/cusns/.